It's not that we were stupid, we were just afraid of something we couldn't really handle. This was our way of dealing with it -- to devise a plan, no matter how ludicrous in the face of nuclear radiation at a close proximity, and have faith in putting that plan into action.
Remember when 9/11 occurred and Bush told us to "go shopping?" It's no different, really. It was a plan -- something we, as the common folks, could accomplish -- and it made citizens feel like they had some power over what was going on.
LOL I agree that this stuff sounds absolutely crazy now, but unfortunately, the same crap is still going on, just with newer issues... I had a professor tell me, upon learning that my husband works in nuclear power, "I hope you don't want to have children!" And I'm thinking, "If that was the truth, how come all of my husband's nuke friends from the Navy are popping kids out like bunny rabbits?" Haha so there are still misconceptions... wasn't trying to say anything other than if they were stupid, then so are we!!!